if the yankees lose, they are done. supposed to be the best players, highest paid player is on the bench. >> where were you when you heard a-rod was benched? >> joe is going to do what he thinks is best for his team, he knows his people get better than anybody else. it's a good option for him on the bench. just like chavez on the bench. >> reporter: that's buck. we were talking to cal ripken earlier, we said have you ever been benched. he said 81, he was sitting on the bench and said i'm not going to do this again. >> he said that inspired him to do the streak, he didn't like that feeling. >> reporter: inside yankee stadium, a couple of minutes ago as both teams were getting set for the 5:07 first pitch. on the field, you can sense it, one team is tight, the other is loose. it's the a-rod lightning rod. a-rod benched tonight, nobody would hit him grounders. jeters is ready. orioles are calm, easy, having fun, like they are going to get root beer floats. he hits one out and almost hits hoke. play the game. yankees oriole